Lab #10 Help Document
This help document will be structured as a walk-through of the lab. We will include instructions about
how to write the report throughout this help document.
This lab will be completed in room 260 CTB.
You will need to partner up for this lab in groups of two.
This lab will require the use of the following pieces of equipment:
National Stereo Zoom Microscope
Stereo Zoom Microscope Calibration slides
Magnifying glasses
Hybrid for pacemaker, ceramic substrate, PGA
Hybrid, polyimide on metal substrate
Large MCM, ceramic substrate, PGA, top view
Small MCM, ceramic substrate, PGA
MCM, sectioned at via
Dial Calipers
Procedure
Observe each of the MCM or hybrid samples. Determine for each the number of IC chips (actual or
sites for them), the number of chip resistors & capacitors (you do not need to try and tell the
difference between them; just count them together), the number of thin or thick film resistors, and
other devices. Take a picture of one of each of these different types of devices, and give its
dimensions.
DO NOT just use the images on the class website – those are simply to help you prepare for the lab.
Seeing something in the microscope for yourself is a MUCH better learning experience than just
looking at the pictures.
Basically, you are performing the same series of steps for each of the above listed samples. Structure
your lab report using the following layout or a similar one. We'll offer help and suggestions throughout.
Note: You will only need the microscope for the sectioned MCM. The other boards and their
components are large enough that you should be able to make your observations using the naked eye or
a magnifying glass. You are still welcome to use the microscopes to observe the boards and we
encourage you to do it so that you can see for yourself the detail of the components and their assembly
on the substrates.
Here is a list of the first 4 substrates:
Hybrid for pacemaker, ceramic substrate, PGA
Hybrid, polyimide on metal substrate
Large MCM, ceramic substrate, PGA, top view
Small MCM, ceramic substrate, PGA
For each of these 4 substrates, perform the following steps
Determine for each the number of IC chips (actual or sites for them)-The IC’s will usually be large
square components with lots of circuit pathways going to and from them. The sites for IC’s will be either
square or rectangular and will consist of circuit pathways that form the square or rectangular shape of
the site. Not all chips (chip sites) are the same size despite being on the same substrate. Include the
number of IC’s and/or IC sites in your lab report.
Count the number of chip resistors & capacitors (you do not need to try and tell the difference
between them; just count them together)-The chip resistors and capacitors will be those small,
rectangular components on the substrate that have one circuit path in and out. These look similar to
thin and thick film resistors that are present on these substrates, but the thin/thick film components are
usually much larger than the chip components. Some substrates will only have pairs of what look like
small, rectangular contact pads. Assume that these are for chip components and count each pair as if it
were a chip component. All substrates should have some chip components or chip component contact
pads on them. Include the number of chip components and/or chip component contact locations in your
lab report.
Count the number of thin or thick film resistors, and other devices-There are far fewer of these than
chip components. They are usually larger than chip components. Not all of the substrates will have
these. Include the number of thin/thick film components in your lab report. If there aren’t any on this
substrate, say so.
Take a picture of one of each of these different types of devices, and give its dimensions-This is pretty
self-explanatory. The devices that it is referring to are the different components on the chip. Measure
the size of one IC chip, one chip component (or component pad), and one thick film component (if any).
Also, take a picture of each of the 4 substrate samples (whole MCM or hybrid) to include in that sample’s
respective section in your lab report. Make sure the picture shows each of the devices on the substrate
clearly.
MCM, sectioned at via
This component is a cross section of an MCM. You will need the microscope for this component. Instead
of measuring the size of this substrate as you did with the other substrates, measure the thickness of it
using either the calipers or the microscope Motic software. Record this measurement in your lab report.
Since you can’t tell how many resistors or other components are actually on this MCM, observe it and
note any features that could be resistors, circuit paths, or other components. Describe these features
and what kind of component you think that they are in your lab report. Take a picture of the sectioned
MCM and include that in your lab report.
Equipment
The only piece of equipment for the lab report that needs a manufacturer is the microscope. Say:
National Stereo Zoom Microscope (these don’t seem to have serial numbers or model numbers on them
so don’t worry about those.)
List any other pieces of equipment that you used as well.
Conclusion
Compare your observations of these MCMs and hybrids to the IC packages; describe both the
differences and similarities. Basically, you are comparing these substrate samples to the samples you
looked at during the last lab. How are they similar and how are they different? Examples of things to
consider: number of IC chips on MCM’s and hybrids vs. on IC packages, relative sizes of MCM’s and
hybrids compared to IC packages, number of other components on MCM’s and hybrids compared to IC
packaging.